Nil By Mouth

1997

UK

139 min

18

Directed by: Gary Oldman

Written by: Gary Oldman

Cast: Ray Winstone, Kathy Burke, Charlie Creed-Miles

Oldman's directorial debut is an account of alcoholism and marital abuse which stalks smoky East End pubs, smog-ridden council estates and cheap-rate lives with an itchy amphetamine energy. In a flawless ensemble cast, Burke (whose performance won her the Best Actress award at Cannes) is heroic as the put-upon wife, while Winstone dominates the screen. This is simply one of the best British movies of the 90s Ð shocking, funny, heartfelt and honest.